Sterile and/or purified fluid and/or solution delivery system

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the present disclosure can include a system for dispensing purified and sterilized fluid and/or solution. The delivery system can include a fluid reservoir, a sterilization and/or purification mechanism, a solution production mechanism, a dispensing mechanism, and a controller. The system can dispense the purified and sterilized fluid and/or solution on-demand.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/555,612, filed Sep. 5, 2017 which is a 371 of PCT/US2016/022287,filed Mar. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 62/132,618, filed Mar. 13, 2015, and 62/132,589,filed Mar. 13, 2015, the entirety of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the productionof a sterilized and/or purified fluid and/or solution and, moreparticularly, to a system for on-demand delivery of sterile and/orpurified fluids and/or solutions.

BACKGROUND

The use of systems in the medical field is known. A system may be usedto dispense purified water, sterilized water, a sodium chloridesolution, or any other fluid that may be needed during a medicalprocedure (e.g., surgery). Conventional systems rely on one or morecontainers (generally bags) for the supply of sterile fluid. The storageand transport of the bags, however, can be cumbersome. Additionally,certain medical procedures often require a greater volume of sterilefluid than what can be provided via the bags.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the productionof a sterilized and/or purified fluid and/or solution and, moreparticularly, to a system for on-demand delivery of sterile and/orpurified fluids and/or solutions.

One aspect of the present disclosure can include a system for on-demanddeliver of sterile and/or purified fluids and/or solutions. The systemcan comprise a housing and at least one fluid reservoir associated withthe housing. The at least one fluid reservoir can be configured to holda fluid. A sterilization and/or purification mechanism can be in fluidcommunication with the at least one fluid reservoir. The sterilizationand/or purification mechanism can be configured to sterilize and purifythe fluid held by the at least one fluid reservoir. A solutionproduction mechanism can be in fluid communication with thesterilization and/or purification mechanism. The solution productionmechanism can be configured to optionally mix a solute with thesterilized and/or purified fluid to produce a solution. A dispensingmechanism can be in fluid communication with the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism and configured to dispense the fluid and/or thesolution. A controller can be associated with one or more of thehousing, the at least one fluid reservoir, the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism, the solution production mechanism and thedispensing mechanism. The controller can be configured to modulate atleast one operating characteristic of the system. The system can beconfigured to deliver the sterile and/or purified fluid and/or solutionimmediately after a request for fluid and/or solution is made by anoperator.

Another aspect of the present disclosure can include a method forproviding a sterile and/or purified fluid and/or solution. The methodcan include the following steps: (a) flowing fluid through at least onefilter of a system to remove impurities from the fluid; (b) deionizingthe fluid; (c) reducing microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) and/orendotoxins (e.g., bacterial endotoxins) in the fluid (e.g., as comparedto an initial or baseline level of the microorganisms and/orendotoxins); (d) optionally creating a solution by mixing the fluid witha solute after steps (a)-(c); and (d) requesting that the fluid and/orsolution be dispensed from the system such that fluid and/or solution isdispensed immediately after the request is made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which thepresent disclosure relates upon reading the following description withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sterile and/or purified fluidand/or solution delivery system constructed in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a sterilization mechanismcomprising the system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system in FIG. 1 showing amulti-bore solute cartridge carrier;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system in FIG. 1 with portions ofits housing removed;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an image of a dispensing mechanism comprising the system inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for providing asterile and/or purified fluid according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in theart to which the present disclosure pertains.

In the context of the present disclosure, the singular forms “a,” “an”and “the” can include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” as used herein, can specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

As used herein, the term “and/or” can include any and all combinationsof one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about Xand Y” can be interpreted to include X and Y.

As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” can mean“between about X and about Y.”

As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” can mean “from aboutX to about Y.”

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,”“attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting,” etc.,another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to,coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements mayalso be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being,for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected”to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element,there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that references to a structure or featurethat is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions thatoverlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms can encompass different orientations of theapparatus in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. For example, if the apparatus in the figures is inverted,elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or featureswould then be oriented “over” the other elements or features.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. Thus, a “first” element discussed below couldalso be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachingsof the present disclosure. The sequence of operations (or steps) is notlimited to the order presented in the claims or figures unlessspecifically indicated otherwise.

Overview

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the productionof a sterilized and/or purified fluid and/or solution and, moreparticularly, to a system for on-demand delivery of sterile and/orpurified fluids and/or solutions. The present disclosure provides aconvenient and economical way of dispensing a sterile and/or purifiedfluid and/or solution. Drawbacks associated with conventional sterilefluid delivery systems (e.g., reverse osmosis-based systems), includefluid supply limitations, and the need to store fluid bags associatedwith such systems. Additionally, reverse osmosis-based systems are onlycapable of supplying on-demand sterile fluid at extremely low flowrates. Advantageously, the systems and methods of the present disclosureare able to provide on-demand sterile and/or purified fluid and/orsolution at a flow rate greater than such conventional systems. Otheradvantages of the present disclosure are discussed below. In particular,it has been found that certain configurations of the present disclosurehave been unexpectedly found to produce sterile and/or purified waterthat conforms to United States Pharmocopeial standards for water forinjection and has less than 0.5 mg/L of total organic carbon, less than1.3 μs/c, @ 25° C., less than 0.25 EU/mL endotoxins, and less that 10CFU/100 mL microbial count.

Systems

One aspect of the present disclosure can include a system 10 (FIGS. 1-2)for on-demand delivery of a sterile and/or purified fluid and/orsolution. As shown in FIG. 2, the system 10 can comprise a housing 12and at least one fluid reservoir 40 associated with the housing 12. Theat least one fluid reservoir 40 can be configured to hold a fluid.Alternatively, the reservoir 40 can be omitted, and the system 10 can bepermanently attached to an external fluid source (e.g., a faucet). Asterilization and/or purification mechanism 50 can be in fluidcommunication with the at least one fluid reservoir 40. Thesterilization and/or purification mechanism 50 can be configured tosterilize and purify the fluid held by the at least one fluid reservoir40. A solution production mechanism 70 can be in fluid communicationwith the sterilization and/or purification mechanism 50. The solutionproduction mechanism 70 can be configured to optionally mix a solutewith the sterilized and/or purified fluid to produce a solution. Adispensing mechanism 90 can be in fluid communication with thesterilization and/or purification mechanism 50 and configured todispense the fluid and/or the solution. A controller 14 can beassociated with one or more of the housing 12, the at least one fluidreservoir 40, the sterilization and/or purification mechanism 50, thesolution production mechanism 70 and the dispensing mechanism 90 viaelectronic signals 13. The controller 14 can be configured to modulateat least one operating characteristic of the system 10.

The system 10 can be configured to deliver the sterile and/or purifiedfluid and/or solution immediately after a request for fluid and/orsolution is made by an operator. As used herein, the terms “on-demand”and “instantaneously” can mean that, after an initial start-up timeperiod (e.g., five minutes or less), the systems and methods of thepresent disclosure can supply sterile and/or purified fluids and/orsolutions within about ten seconds after a request for the sterileand/or purified fluid and/or solution has been made.

In one aspect, the housing 12 can be configured to enclose certaincomponents of the system 10, such as the fluid reservoir 40, thesterilization and/or purification mechanism 50, and the solutionproduction mechanism 70. The housing 12 can include a plurality of wallsthat define an interior storage space for certain components of thesystem 10. One or more of the walls can be opaque or transparent. In oneaspect, the walls of the housing 12 can be arranged to have a cuboidconfiguration that occupies approximately 0.5 cubic meters of space. Itwill be appreciated that the housing 12 can be arranged to have anyother suitable shape that allows the housing 12 to enclose components ofthe system 10. The housing 12 can be made of one or a combination ofmaterials, such as metals (e.g. stainless steel) or non-metals (e.g.hardened plastics). The housing 12 can be provided with wheels 16 tofacilitate transportation of the system 10. The housing 12 can beprovided with one or more doors for accessing components of the system10. In one aspect, a door 18 can be configured to gain access tocomponents of the solution production mechanism 70, such as a multi-boresolute cartridge carrier 72 (discussed below). An additional door (notshown) can be configured to gain access to filtration components.

A connection port 20 can be provided on the housing 12. The connectionport 20 can be configured to connect the dispensing mechanism 90 to thehousing 12. An intake port 21 can also be provided on the housing 12.The intake port 21 can be configured to allow the system 10 to be filledwith a fluid, such as water. The housing 12 can be provided with anelectrical connection (not shown) for providing power to the system 10(e.g., no more than 20 amperes at 115 volts alternating current or 10amperes at 220 volts single phase). The system 10 can also include aframe 22 (FIGS. 5-6) to which the housing 12 is mounted. The frame 22can be manufactured out of a single material or a combination ofmaterials, such as metals, plastics, or a combination thereof.

A user interface/control module 23 can be associated with the housing12. The user interface/control module 23 can be in electricalcommunication with the controller 14. The user interface/control module23 may include various electrical components (e.g. micro processor,memory) configured to control certain operational characteristics of thesystem 10, such as fluid flow rate, fluid temperature, and/or soluteconcentration. The user interface/control module 23 may be provided withsoftware programs. In one aspect, the user interface/control module 23can comprise a touch screen that enables an operator to interact withthe software program(s) and control operational characteristics of thesystem 10.

The fluid reservoir 40 can be directly or indirectly attached to theframe 22. The fluid reservoir 40 can be configured to hold a fluid(e.g., non-sterile water) prior to sterilization and/or purification bythe system 10. In one aspect, the fluid reservoir 40 is capable ofholding at least 15 L of fluid. It will be appreciated that other sizedfluid reservoirs may be used. The fluid reservoir 40 is fluidly coupledto the intake port 21 by a first fluid conduit 24 a. In general, thefirst fluid conduit 24 a can be a tube having a substantially circularcross-section. The first fluid conduit 24 a can have a rigid,semi-rigid, or flexible configuration, and be made of one material or acombination of materials. A second fluid conduit 24 b can fluidly couplethe fluid reservoir 40 to a water pump 42, which is attached to theframe 22. In one aspect, the water pump 42 is a ⅛ horsepowerdiaphragm-type pump. It will be appreciated that any other suitable pumpmay be used.

The sterilization and/or purification mechanism 50 can be directly orindirectly attached to the frame 22 and fluidly coupled to the waterpump 42 by a third fluid conduit 24 c (FIG. 3). The sterilization and/orpurification mechanism 50 can include any number of components andarrangements configured to remove impurities from, and sterilize, thefluid contained in the fluid reservoir 40. The sterilization and/orpurification mechanism 50 can include at least one filter 51, at leastone mixed bed resin tank 58, at least one continuous electrodeionizationmodule 60, and at least one ultra-violet module 62. In one example, thesterilization and/or purification mechanism 50 can include three filters52, 54, 56, one mixed bed resin tank 58, one continuouselectrodeionization module 60, and two ultra-violet modules 62, 64.

In some instances, the filters 51 comprising the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism 50 can include a pre-filter 52 designed to removeimpurities larger than about 5 μm, a carbon filter 54 designed to removeimpurities larger than about 1 μm, and a fines filter 56 designed toremove impurities larger than about 1 μm. The mixed bed resin tank 58can include anion and cation resins configured to remove poisonous andheavy metals from the fluid. The continuous electrodeionization module60 can be configured to substantially deionize the fluid. Theultra-violet modules 62, 64 can be configured to emit energy at about254 nm to disinfect the fluid and destroy ozone in the fluid. Theultra-violet modules 62, 64 can further be configured to emit energy atabout 185 nm to destroy and decompose organic molecules in the fluid.

It will be appreciated that the components comprising the sterilizationand/or purification mechanism 50 can be configured to achieve variouspurification and sterilization goals. For example, the number of filterscan be increased or decreased. Additionally, the selectivity of thefilters can be changed to remove impurities larger than 5 μm or smallerthan 1 μm. In another example, the number of ultra-violet modules can beincreased or decreased, as can the emitted wavelength of each lamp. As afurther example, a capacitive deionization module can be substituted forthe continuous electrodeionization module 60.

The solution production mechanism 70 can be configured to mix thesterilized and/or purified fluid produced by the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism 50 with a solute to create a sterilized and/orpurified solution. The solution production mechanism 70 can be directlyor indirectly attached to the frame 22. The solution productionmechanism 70 can be fluidly coupled to the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism 50 by a fourth fluid conduit 24 d. In one aspect,the solution production mechanism 70 can include a multi-bore solutecartridge carrier 72, at least one mix tank 74, and at least onesolution reservoir tank 76. One example of the multi-bore solutecartridge carrier 72 is disclosed in U.S. Prov. Patent Appln. Ser. No.62/132,589, filed Mar. 13, 2015 (hereinafter, “the '589 application”).The mix tank 74 can be configured to ensure that the sterilized and/orpurified solution is adequately mixed to form a desired solution. Forexample, the mix tank 74 can include agitators that agitate thesterilized and/or purified fluid to ensure the solute is completelydissolved therein.

The solution reservoir tank 76 can be configured to hold the resultantsterilized and/or purified solution until it is requested by anoperator. It will be appreciated that the solution production mechanism70 can be modified to alter various performance characteristics of thesystem 10. For example, the size of the solution reservoir tank 76 maybe increased or decreased to allow the system 10 to hold a greater orlesser amount of purified and sterilized solution that is ready foron-demand use.

A solution bypass line 80 can be provided in parallel flow with thesolution production mechanism 70. The solution bypass line 80 caninclude a bypass line filter that is fluidly 82 coupled to thesterilization and/or purification mechanism 50 by a sixth fluid conduit24 f. In one aspect, the bypass line filter 82 is designed to removeimpurities larger than 0.1 μm.

A temperature regulating mechanism 84 configured to heat and/or cool thefluid can be directly or indirectly attached to the frame 22. Thetemperature regulating mechanism 84 can be fluidly coupled to thesolution production mechanism 70 and the solution bypass line 80 by aseventh fluid conduit 24 g. A final filter 78 can be disposed betweenthe solution production mechanism 70 and the temperature regulatingmechanism 84. The final filter 78 can be fluidly coupled to the solutionproduction mechanism 70 and the temperature regulating mechanism by afifth fluid conduit 24 e, and the seventh fluid conduit 24 g,respectively. In one aspect, the first final filter 78 is designed toremove impurities larger than about 0.1 μm.

The temperature regulating mechanism 84 can additionally be configuredto direct fluid that flows through the solution production mechanism 70along a first fluid route 25 a and/or to direct fluid that passesthrough the solution bypass line 80 along a second fluid route 25 b. Inone aspect, the temperature regulating mechanism 84 can includeresistive heaters to heat the fluid and/or a compressed gasrefrigeration cycle to cool the fluid to regulate the fluid temperatureto about 45° C. such that the fluid is close to body temperature oncethe fluid reaches the patient. It will be appreciated that any othersuitable heating and cooling mechanism may be used, and that thetemperature regulating mechanism 84 can be configured to regulate thetemperature of the fluid to any desired temperature. An eighth fluidconduit 24 h can fluidly couple the temperature regulating mechanism 84to the connection port 20. The eighth fluid conduit 24 h can beconfigured to maintain the separate first and second fluid routes 25 a,25 b.

Referring to FIG. 7, the system 10 can include a dispensing mechanism 90adapted for connection with the connection port 20. In one aspect, thedispensing mechanism 90 can include a tubular portion 92, a maleconnection member 94 disposed at a first end of the tubular portion 92,and a dispensing member 96 disposed at a second end of the tubularportion 92 opposite the first end. The male connection member 94 caninclude a first fluid path 25 c and a second fluid path 25 d, and can beconfigured to be inserted into the connection port 20. When the maleconnection member 94 is inserted into the connection port 20, the firstand second fluid paths 25 c, 25 d of the male connection member 94 canbe fluidly coupled to the first and second fluid routes 25 a, 25 b,respectively, of the eighth fluid conduit 24 h.

The tubular portion 92 of the male connection member 94 can include aflexible hose configured to separately maintain the first and secondfluid paths 25 c, 25 d. The tubular portion 92 can include a firsttubeset filter 98 and a second tubeset filter 99 respectively disposedin the first fluid path 25 c and the second fluid path 25 d. In oneaspect, the first and second tubeset filters 98, 99 can be designed toremove impurities larger than about 0.05 μm. It will be appreciated thatany other suitable filter can be used.

The dispensing member 96 can include an ergonomic handle 100. A firstend of the handle 100 can be configured for connection with the secondend of the tubular portion 92. A second end of the handle 100 oppositethe first end can be configured to dispense the purified and sterilizedfluid and/or solution to a desired area. In one aspect, the handle 100can be configured to combine the first and second fluid paths 25 c, 25 dinto a single fluid path that flows out of the second end of the handle100. It will be appreciated that the handle can be configured to keepthe first and second fluid paths 25 c, 25 d separate.

The handle 100 can comprise at least one dispensing button 102 a-c. Inone aspect, the handle 100 can include a first dispensing button 102 aassociated with the first fluid path 25 c, and a second dispensingbutton 102 b associated with the second fluid path 25 d. It will beappreciated that the handle 100 may be provided with a fewer or greaternumber of buttons to customize the level of fluid control afforded to anoperator of the system 10.

Methods

Another aspect of the present disclosure can include a method 300 (FIG.8) for providing a sterile and/or purified fluid and/or solution. First,an operator can fill the fluid reservoir 40 with a desired fluid, suchas water. In one example, the operator can fill the fluid reservoir 40by attaching a filling hose to the intake port 21. It will beappreciated that other methods can be used to fill the fluid reservoir40. For example, the housing 12 can be provided with an access port thatallows access to the fluid reservoir 40. Alternatively, an operator cantransfer water directly from a fluid carrying vessel to the fluidreservoir 40 via the access port.

Next, the operator can connect the system 10 with a power source via theelectrical connection provided on the housing 12. The operator can alsoensure the dispensing mechanism 90 is connected with the connection port20. The operator can then interface with the system 10 via the userinterface/control module 23 to set desired parameters relating to thefluid and/or solution that is to be dispensed. In one example, the userinterface/control module 23 can enable the operator to control thetemperature and flow rate of the dispensed fluid and/or solution. Itwill be appreciated that the user interface/control module 23 can becustomized to control other operational characteristics of the system10, such as the concentration of the dispensed fluid and/or solution.The user interface/control module 23 can also be configured to provideinformation relating to the condition of various characteristics of thesystem 10, such as the amount of fluid remaining in the fluid reservoir40.

Once the parameter(s) of the fluid and/or solution to be dispensedis/are programmed, the water pump 42 is operated to pump water from thefluid reservoir 40 to the sterilization mechanism 50 via the second andthird fluid conduits 24 b, 24 c. At Steps 301-304, the water is purifiedand sterilized as it passes through the sterilization mechanism 50. Forexample, purification and sterilization of the water can be achieved bypassing the water through the pre-filter 52, the carbon filter 54, themixed bed resin tank 58, the fines filter 56, the first ultravioletmodule 62, the continuous electrodeionization module 60 and the secondultraviolet module 64.

Next, the water can be directed into one of two separate fluid paths. Afirst fluid path carries the water to the solution production mechanism70. A second fluid path carries the water to the bypass line 80. If thewater is directed to the solution production mechanism 70 (Step 306),the multiple-bore solute cartridge carrier 72 mixes the sterilizedand/or purified water with a solute to create a sterilized and/orpurified solution as discussed in the '589 application. The solution canthen pass into the mix tank 74, where the solution can be furtheragitated. The solution can next pass into the solution reservoir tank 76where the solution remains until the operator makes a request for itsdelivery.

The operator can request that the solution be dispensed by depressingthe first button 102 a on the handle 100. When the first button 102 a isdepressed, the solution can flow through the final filter 78 into thetemperature regulating mechanism 84. At Step 308, the temperatureregulating mechanism 84 can heat or cool the fluid and/or solution asdesired. The fluid and/or solution can then flow from temperatureregulating mechanism 84 through the connection port 20, via thedispensing mechanism 90 while passing through the first tubeset filter98 (Step 310). The solution can be dispensed at a rate of at least 1L/min (e.g., about 1-2 L/minute, about 2-3 L/minute, about 3-4 L/minute,about 4-5 L/minute, about 5-6 L/minute, about 6-7 L/minute, about 7-8L/minute, about 8-9 L/minute, about 9-10 L/minute, or greater than 10L/minute, such as 10-20 L/minute, 20-30 L/minute, 30-40 L/minute, ormore), which advantageously allows the operator to thoroughly andquickly irrigate a worksite (e.g., cleaning tissue during surgery in anoperating room). In one example, the solution can be dispensed at a rateof 10 L/minute.

The operator can additionally or alternatively request that a sterilizedand/or purified fluid (e.g., free of solute) be dispensed by depressingthe second button 102 b on the handle 100. When the second button 102 bis depressed, the fluid can be directed along the second fluid paththrough the bypass line 80. The fluid can then flow through the secondfinal filter 82 and the connection port 20 via the dispensing mechanism90 while passing through the second tubeset filter 99 (Step 310). Thefluid can be dispensed at a rate of at least 1 L/minute (e.g., 10L/minute), which advantageously allows the operator to thoroughly andquickly irrigate a worksite (e.g., cleaning tissue during surgery). Itwill be appreciated that the system 10 can be configured to dispense asterilized and/or purified solution or fluid at a rate of less than 1L/minute (e.g. about 1-0.9 L/minute, about 0.9-0.8 L/minute, about0.8-0.7 L/minute, about 0.7-0.6 L/minute, about 0.6-0.5 L/minute, about0.5-0.4 L/minute, about 0.4-0.3 L/minute, about 0.3-0.2 L/minute, about0.2-0.1 L/minute, or 0.1 L/minute or less). For instance, the system 10can be configured to dispense a sterilized and/or purified solution orfluid at a rate of 0.8 L/minute.

From the above description of the present disclosure, those skilled inthe art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Forexample, the system 10 can be configured to deliver pulsatile flow.Additionally, the system can include a sensing mechanism (not shown) inelectrical communication with the controller 14 and/or the userinterface/control module 23. The sensing mechanism can sensecharacteristics of the fluid and or solution, such as flow rate, pHlevel, pressure, salinity, etc. All patents and patent applicationsidentified herein are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.Such improvements, changes, and modifications are within the skill ofthe art and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

The following is claimed:
 1. A system for on-demand delivery of one ormore of a sterile fluid and a solution, comprising: a fluid source; asterilization and/or purification mechanism in fluid communication withthe fluid source, the sterilization and/or purification mechanism beingconfigured to receive fluid from the fluid source and sterilize thereceived fluid; a solution production mechanism separate from and influid communication with the sterilization and/or purificationmechanism, the solution production mechanism being configured to receivethe sterile fluid from the sterilization and/or purification mechanism,the solution production mechanism being configured to selectively mix asolute with the received sterile fluid to produce a solution; and adispensing mechanism in fluid communication with the sterilizationand/or purification mechanism and the solution production mechanism andconfigured to dispense one or more of the sterile fluid and thesolution; wherein the system is configured to deliver one or more of thesterile fluid and the solution to a desired area outside of the systemafter a request is made.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising acontroller associated with one or more of the fluid source, thesterilization and/or purification mechanism, the solution productionmechanism, and the dispensing mechanism, the controller being configuredto modulate at least one operating characteristic of the system.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir between and influid communication with the fluid source and the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism, the fluid reservoir being configured to receiveand hold fluid from the fluid source, wherein the fluid received by thesterilization and/or purification mechanism from the fluid source isheld in the fluid reservoir before being received by the sterilizationand/or purification mechanism.
 4. The system of claim 3, furthercomprising a housing having the fluid reservoir, sterilization and/orpurification mechanism, and solution production therein.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the sterilization and/or purification mechanismincludes at least one filter, at least one electrical deionizationmodule, and at least one ultra-violet module.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the sterilization and/or purification mechanism further includesat least one mixed bed resin tank.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein forsterilizing the fluid, the sterilization and/or purification mechanismincludes: a pre-filter configured to remove impurities larger than about5 μm from the fluid; a carbon filter downstream of the pre-filter andconfigured to remove impurities larger than about 1 μm from the fluid; amixed bed resin tank downstream of the carbon filter and configured toremove poisonous and heavy metals from the fluid; a fines filterdownstream of the mixed bed resin tank and configured to removeimpurities larger than about 1 μm from the fluid; a first ultra-violetmodule downstream of the fines filter and configured to disinfect thefluid and destroy ozone in the fluid or to destroy and decompose organicmolecules in the fluid; an electrodeionization module downstream of thefirst ultra-violet module and configured to substantially deionize thefluid; and a second ultra-violet module downstream of theelectrodeionization module and configured to disinfect the fluid anddestroy ozone in the fluid or to destroy and decompose organic moleculesin the fluid.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and secondultra-violet modules are configured to emit energy at about 254 nm todisinfect the fluid and destroy ozone in the fluid or at about 185 nm todestroy and decompose organic molecules in the fluid.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a temperature regulating mechanism in fluidcommunication with the one or more of the solution production mechanismand the sterilization and/or purification mechanism, the temperatureregulating mechanism is configured to heat or cool one or more of thesterile fluid and the solution.
 10. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a housing having the sterilization and/or purificationmechanism and solution production positioned therein, wherein thesolution production mechanism includes a multi-bore solute cartridgecarrier received in the housing, the multi-bore solute cartridge carrierincluding: a rotary housing having one or more bores, each boreextending along a central axis between a filling end and a draining end,and one or more solute cartridges received in the one or more bores,each solute cartridge including a frame, a filter supported by theframe, and a solute contained therein, each filter substantiallyextending perpendicular with respect to an associated central axis sothat the sterile fluid, when flowing from the filling end to thedraining end of an associated bore, flows through the filter, thesolution production mechanism being configured to selectively flow thereceived sterile fluid through the one or more solute cartridges to mixthe received sterile fluid with the solute to produce the solution. 11.The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to deliver oneor more of the sterile fluid and the solution to the desired areaoutside of the system within about ten seconds after the request ismade.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a solution bypassline in fluid communication with the sterilization and/or purificationmechanism and the dispensing mechanism, the solution bypass lineproviding a fluid path from the sterilization and/or purificationmechanism to the dispensing mechanism that bypasses the solutionproduction mechanism for the dispensing of the sterile fluid to thedesired area outside of the system after the request is made.
 13. Asystem for on-demand delivery of a sterile fluid, comprising: a housing;at least one fluid reservoir in the housing and configured to hold afluid; a sterilization and/or purification mechanism in the housing andin fluid communication with the at least one fluid reservoir, thesterilization and/or purification mechanism being configured tosterilize the fluid, for sterilizing the fluid, the sterilization and/orpurification mechanism includes: a pre-filter configured to removeimpurities larger than about 5 μm from the fluid, a carbon filterdownstream of the pre-filter and configured to remove impurities largerthan about 1 μm from the fluid, a mixed bed resin tank downstream of thecarbon filter and configured to remove poisonous and heavy metals fromthe fluid, a fines filter downstream of the mixed bed resin tank andconfigured to remove impurities larger than about 1 μm from the fluid, afirst ultra-violet module downstream of the fines filter and configuredto disinfect the fluid and destroy ozone in the fluid or to destroy anddecompose organic molecules in the fluid, an electrodeionization moduledownstream of the first ultra-violet module and configured tosubstantially deionize the fluid, and a second ultra-violet moduledownstream of the electrodeionization module and configured to disinfectthe fluid and destroy ozone in the fluid or to destroy and decomposeorganic molecules in the fluid; and a dispensing mechanism in fluidcommunication with the sterilization and/or purification mechanism andconfigured to dispense the sterile fluid; wherein the system isconfigured to deliver the sterile fluid to a desired area outside of thesystem after a request is made.
 14. The system of claim 13, furthercomprising a comprising a controller associated with one or more of theat least one fluid reservoir, the sterilization and/or purificationmechanism, and the dispensing mechanism, the controller being configuredto modulate at least one operating characteristic of the system.
 15. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the first and second ultra-violet modulesare configured to emit energy at about 254 nm to disinfect the fluid anddestroy ozone in the fluid or at about 185 nm to destroy and decomposeorganic molecules in the fluid.
 16. The system of claim 13, furthercomprising: a solution production mechanism in the housing, the solutionproduction mechanism being separate from and in fluid communication withthe sterilization and/or purification mechanism and the dispensingmechanism, the solution production mechanism being configured to receivethe sterile fluid from the sterilization and/or purification mechanism,the solution production mechanism being configured to selectively mix asolute with the received sterile fluid to produce a sterile solution;wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense one or moreof the sterile fluid and the sterile solution; and wherein the system isconfigured to deliver one or more of the sterile fluid and the sterilesolution to the desired area outside of the system after the request ismade.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the solution productionmechanism includes a multi-bore solute cartridge carrier received in thehousing, the multi-bore solute cartridge carrier including: a rotaryhousing having one or more bores, each bore extending along a centralaxis between a filling end and a draining end, and one or more solutecartridges received in the one or more bores, each solute cartridgeincluding a frame, a filter supported by the frame, and a solutecontained therein, each filter substantially extending perpendicularwith respect to an associated central axis so that the sterile fluid,when flowing from the filling end to the draining end of an associatedbore, flows through the filter, the solution production mechanism beingconfigured to selectively flow the received sterile fluid through theone or more solute cartridges to mix the received sterile fluid with thesolute to produce the sterile solution.
 18. The system of claim 16,further comprising a temperature regulating mechanism in fluidcommunication with the one or more of the solution production mechanismand the sterilization and/or purification mechanism, the temperatureregulating mechanism is configured to heat or cool one or more of thesterile fluid and the solution.
 19. The system of claim 16, furthercomprising a solution bypass line in fluid communication with thesterilization and/or purification mechanism and the dispensingmechanism, the solution bypass line providing a fluid path from thesterilization and/or purification mechanism to the dispensing mechanismthat bypasses the solution production mechanism for the dispensing ofthe sterile fluid to the desired area outside of the system after therequest is made.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the system isconfigured the sterile fluid and to the desired area outside of thesystem within about ten seconds after the request is made.